An Actor's Life For Me
Encyclopedia
An Actor's Life For Me is a sitcom
that aired on BBC Radio 2
from 1989 to 1993 and on BBC television
in 1991. Starring John Gordon-Sinclair
and Gina McKee
, it was written by Paul Mayhew-Archer
, who later co-wrote The Vicar of Dibley
.
The final episode of the TV series ends with Sue's father (John Woodvine
) being humiliated as a result of Robert's new risque play and a misunderstanding with the police
. As a result of this, Sue walks out on Robert.
for three series. The first series of seven episodes aired from 20 January to 3 March 1989. The second series had six episodes and ran from 11 February to 18 March 1990. The third and final series also had six episodes and ran from 5 January to 9 February 1993. An unaired pilot had previously been recorded several years before. It starred Nicholas Lyndhurst
and Peter Jones
in the roles that were subsequently played by John Gordon-Sinclair and Gary Waldhorn
.
The first series was rebroadcast on BBC Radio 7 in July 2007, with a full series repeat (all 19 episodes) from April 2009 on the same network.
Series 1
Ep1 - A Stiff Audition
Ep2 - I Can Do That
Ep3 - Not Suitable for Parents
Ep4 - Separate Troubles
Ep5 - Educating Robert
Ep6 - May The Farce By With You
Ep7 - Pantomime Cows
Series 2
Ep1 - The Scottish Play
Ep2 - Fathers & Sons
Ep3 - Heart Throbs
Ep4 - Up on the Roof
Ep5 - Puppets
Ep6 - Read All About it
Series 3
Ep1 - Here's looking at you
Ep2 - Politics
Ep3 - Police Farce
Ep4 - Madness in his Method
Ep5 - Fatal Distraction
Ep6 - Neighbours
British sitcom
A British sitcom tends, as it does in most other countries, to be based on a family, workplace or other institution, where the same group of contrasting characters is brought together in each episode. Unlike American sitcoms, where twenty or more episodes in a season is the norm, British sitcoms...
that aired on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
from 1989 to 1993 and on BBC television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
in 1991. Starring John Gordon-Sinclair
John Gordon Sinclair
John Gordon Sinclair is a Scottish actor most famous for playing Gregory in Gregory's Girl. He was born as Gordon John but took the stage name 'John Gordon Sinclair' because Equity already had a Gordon John registered....
and Gina McKee
Gina McKee
Georgina "Gina" McKee is an English actor known for her television roles in Our Friends in the North , The Lost Prince and The Forsyte Saga ; and her portrayal of Bella in the film Notting Hill ....
, it was written by Paul Mayhew-Archer
Paul Mayhew-Archer
Paul Mayhew-Archer is a writer, producer and script editor for the BBC.He studied English at Cambridge University after attending Eastbourne College, being a member of Reeves House. He spent his time at school writing plays...
, who later co-wrote The Vicar of Dibley
The Vicar of Dibley
The Vicar of Dibley is a British sitcom created by Richard Curtis and written for its lead actress, Dawn French, by Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, with contributions from Kit Hesketh-Harvey. It aired from 1994 to 2007...
.
Radio
- John Gordon-SinclairJohn Gordon SinclairJohn Gordon Sinclair is a Scottish actor most famous for playing Gregory in Gregory's Girl. He was born as Gordon John but took the stage name 'John Gordon Sinclair' because Equity already had a Gordon John registered....
- Robert Wilson - Caroline QuentinCaroline QuentinCaroline Jones known by her stage name Caroline Quentin, is an English actress. Quentin became known for her television appearances in Men Behaving Badly, playing Dorothy, and playing Maddy Magellan in Jonathan Creek for three years.-Early life:...
- Sue Bishop - Gary WaldhornGary WaldhornGary Waldhorn is a veteran English actor, known for his role as David Horton in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, but who has also had a notable television and theatre career.-Theatre:...
- Desmond Shaw
Television
- John Gordon-SinclairJohn Gordon SinclairJohn Gordon Sinclair is a Scottish actor most famous for playing Gregory in Gregory's Girl. He was born as Gordon John but took the stage name 'John Gordon Sinclair' because Equity already had a Gordon John registered....
- Robert Neilson - Gina McKeeGina McKeeGeorgina "Gina" McKee is an English actor known for her television roles in Our Friends in the North , The Lost Prince and The Forsyte Saga ; and her portrayal of Bella in the film Notting Hill ....
- Sue Bishop - Victor SpinettiVictor SpinettiVictor Spinetti is a Welsh comic actor.-Early life:Spinetti was born in Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Wales of Welsh and Italian heritage from a grandfather who was said to have walked from Italy to Wales to work as a coal miner...
- Desmond Shaw - Benedict TaylorBenedict TaylorBenedict Sean Taylor is a British actor. His adoptive sister is Femi Taylor...
- Sebastian Groom - Sophie DixSophie DixSophie Dix is best known for her role as Cpt Sadie Williams in Soldier Soldier.She has had other roles such as in The Bill, Benidorm, Between The Lines and Holby City.-External links:* at the Internet Movie Database...
- Stage Manager
Plot
An Actor's Life For Me is based around Robert Wilson/Neilson, an actor who believes is about to make it big time. While he never achieves his quest for fame, he always remains optimistic that he will do at the next audition. His girlfriend, Sue Bishop, and agent Desmond Shaw do their best to keep his feet on the ground.The final episode of the TV series ends with Sue's father (John Woodvine
John Woodvine
John Woodvine is an English stage and screen actor who has appeared in more than 70 theatre productions, as well as a similar number of television and film roles.-Early life:...
) being humiliated as a result of Robert's new risque play and a misunderstanding with the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
. As a result of this, Sue walks out on Robert.
Television episodes
- "A Kiss Is Just a Kiss" (14 November 1991)
- "I Can Do That" (21 November 1991)
- "Fathers and Sons" (28 November 1991)
- "May the Farce Be With You" (5 December 1991)
- "Night of the Living Dead" (12 December 1991)
- "Not Suitable For Parents" (19 December 1991)
Radio Series
An Actor's Life For Me aired on BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
for three series. The first series of seven episodes aired from 20 January to 3 March 1989. The second series had six episodes and ran from 11 February to 18 March 1990. The third and final series also had six episodes and ran from 5 January to 9 February 1993. An unaired pilot had previously been recorded several years before. It starred Nicholas Lyndhurst
Nicholas Lyndhurst
Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, Gary Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart, and as Adam Parkinson in Carla Lane's series Butterflies...
and Peter Jones
Peter Jones (actor)
Peter Jones was an English actor, screenwriter and broadcaster.-Early life and career:Jones was born in Wem, Shropshire and he was educated at the Wem Grammar School and Ellesmere College. He made his first appearance as an actor in Wolverhampton at the age of 16 and then appeared in repertory...
in the roles that were subsequently played by John Gordon-Sinclair and Gary Waldhorn
Gary Waldhorn
Gary Waldhorn is a veteran English actor, known for his role as David Horton in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, but who has also had a notable television and theatre career.-Theatre:...
.
The first series was rebroadcast on BBC Radio 7 in July 2007, with a full series repeat (all 19 episodes) from April 2009 on the same network.
Series 1
Ep1 - A Stiff Audition
Ep2 - I Can Do That
Ep3 - Not Suitable for Parents
Ep4 - Separate Troubles
Ep5 - Educating Robert
Ep6 - May The Farce By With You
Ep7 - Pantomime Cows
Series 2
Ep1 - The Scottish Play
Ep2 - Fathers & Sons
Ep3 - Heart Throbs
Ep4 - Up on the Roof
Ep5 - Puppets
Ep6 - Read All About it
Series 3
Ep1 - Here's looking at you
Ep2 - Politics
Ep3 - Police Farce
Ep4 - Madness in his Method
Ep5 - Fatal Distraction
Ep6 - Neighbours